Vlado Menkovski (30)
PhD Electro-Optical Communications

What are your plans this summer?
“I’m from Macedonia and I would like to go home for two weeks. But only if I can find a cheap flight.”

Are you going to do anything nice in the Netherlands?
“Visit Scheveningen in any case. The weather needs to be good then, though. That is an obvious difference with my home country!”

What do your fellow-countrymen do during the summer?
“We don’t travel as much as the Dutch, because we need visas for most countries, which is rather complicated. But fortunately there is also plenty of things to do in Macedonia. Lying by the waterside, for example.”

Ruben Meeldijk (22)
Student of Industrial Design

What will your summer look like?
“I’m staying in the Netherlands, for I have to finish projects. Maybe I’ll make some day or weekend trips, to campsites and beach parties. Just relax and preferably not too expensive.”

What is your tip for the summer?
“Find a place that you don’t know yet and be surprised. If there is nothing doing, just enjoy nature and the weather. And, very important this: avoid amusement parks.”

Nikolaos Sotiropoulos (25)
PhD Electrical Engineering

What will your summer look like?
“I’m going to Greece for a month. Especially to be together with my family, but maybe I’ll also visit the new Akropolis museum in Athens.”

Are you going to do anything nice in the Netherlands?
“I intend to visit a few summer festivals. And Scheveningen beach is also in the planning.”

What do your fellow-countrymen do during the summer?
“We just stay in our own country. Good weather and beautiful beaches, what more do you want?”

Elies Koot (22) & Floor Frings (24)
Students of Architecture, Building and Planning

What does your summer look like?
Elies: “I’m in the Intro committee so I’m very busy with preparations. Between whiles I am going sailing for a week with my boy friend and to Sardinia for a long weekend with a friend.”
Floor: “”I shall only be traveling! From Germany I am flying to Jakarta. All my traveling friends will gather there. It will be one big party for four weeks, without any specific plan. After a week back in the Netherlands I am leaving to see my father in France. Into the Pyrenees to have some fun.”

Do you have a golden tip?
Elies: “The Intro of course! And the Sneek week is another genuine must. There is a lot going on, but you can also have fun just watching the boats. Super cool!”
Floor adds: “Enjoy small things. There is always enough beauty to be seen if you pay attention.”

Daan Pothoven (23)
Student of Industrial Design

What are you doing this summer?
“Drive a car! First to southern Europe for three weeks with my girl friend. Then together with a friend I am going to visit eco-campsites in the Netherlands in a Chevrolet from the 1970s. See if we can provoke anyone with our petrol guzzler.”

Do you have a golden tip?
“Sail your boat through the Amsterdam or Utrecht canals all day long. Bringing a bottle of wine, of course. That is really enjoying yourself low-cost. And if you don’t own a boat, go boat-hiking!”

Mi-Sue Akkerman (29)
Policy assistant Internationalization

What will your summer look like?
“Struggle on! I still have a number of important things to do. Besides, I have no obligations at home, so I can go on holiday whenever I want. I prefer going when most of the tourists have gone again.”

Are you going to do anything fun in the Netherlands?
“Definitely! I’m going to the Parade, which moves from city to city. I also want to visit some friends in Amsterdam and go wind surfing in Friesland, for that is where I’m from originally.”

Do you have a golden tip?
“The Waddeneilanden! People skip them usually, whereas it is lovely there. Especially Ameland and Schiermonnikoog I can really recommend.”

Holiday atmosphere in the neighborhood

It is not really necessary to travel far if you want to have an enjoyable summer. In and around Eindhoven there is enough to be done. Cursor has made a small selection for you.

Get away from it all
You want an active day? Just outside Eindhoven’s city center you find the ‘Genneper Parken’. They are the starting point of nice walking routes, such as cultural-historical routes that will take you back through the ages. In ‘De Malpie’, a nature reserve near Valkenswaard, you can make trips by canoe, by mountain bike and on foot.

Genneper Parken: Antoon Coolenlaan 1, Eindhoven
De Malpie: Molenstraat, Valkenswaard

Cool down for a bit
What could be nicer on a hot summer’s day than a fresh dive into the water? Right next to the TU/e grounds lies De IJzeren Man, a lake with a sunbathing area. Outside Eindhoven you will find Aquabest (near Best) and the E3 beach in Eersel. You prefer a swimming pool? Then go to the outdoor swimming center De Tongelreep or the Ir. Ottenbad.

De IJzeren Man: Javalaan 149, Eindhoven
Aquabest: Ekkersweijer 1, Best
E3-Strand: Buivensedreef 10, Eersel
Ir. Ottenbad: Vijfkamplaan 12, Eindhoven
Nationaal Zwemcentrum De Tongelreep: Antoon Coolenlaan 1, Eindhoven

Plaza Futura Buitenfilm
Weather permitting, theater Plaza Futura at Leenderweg hangs a big film screen outside on Tuesday and Friday nights in July and August. Just draw up your folding chair and enjoy a free film. More information on www.plazafutura.nl.

BBQ in the park
As soon as the sun is in the sky, the Dutch bring out the barbecue. Likewise on the terrace of pop podium de Effenaar, located at Dommelstraat. Every Sunday afternoon from 15.00 hours you can take in a forkful. More information on www.effenaar.nl.

Kennedymars
In the night from 4 to 5 July the Brabant village of Someren is wide awake. Over a thousand fanatical hikers cover eighty kilometers within twenty hours during the Kennedy march. Of course your cheers and shouts will be more than welcome. But in between the market stalls and the bars it is ‘gezellig’ above all.

Kennedymarkt: Kanaalstraat, Someren

Extrema Outdoor
On July 18 dance lovers from miles around gather by the waters of Aquabest, near Eindhoven. During Extrema Outdoor they dance to the best beats of groups including Dave Clarke en Erick E. More information on www.extrema-outdoor.nl.

Bavaria Pro tour
On July 28 Helmond is the setting of the Bavaria Profronde. The best international racing cyclists - last year includingRobbie McEwen and Carlos Sastre - are coming to Eindhoven’s neighbor city the day after the Tour de France for an honorary round. At 20.00 hours tribute is paid to the Tour de France cyclists and the tour starts fifteen minutes later.

Start/finish: Dorpsstraat, Helmond

Folkwoods
Unique in the Netherlands: folk music for three days on end. On August 14, 15 and 16 an international group of folk musicians will be the guests at Folkwoods, a grand festival in the Philips de Jongh Wandelpark in Eindhoven. More information on www.folkwoods.nl.